The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-19
GOV. s. ID. M'ENERY.
Review of the Political History of
Louisiana Since 1876 - His Com
pliments to the Reformers.

A Review of the Political History of
Louisiana Since 1876 - His Com
pliments to the Reformers.
Gov. McEnery was received with enthu-
siastic applause, 80 long and continued that
it was some minutes before he could speak.
Throughout his speech, Gov McEnery was
frequently interrupted by enthusiastic ap-
plause. Gov. McEnery said:
The Democratic party of tho State of Lou
isiana is confronted with faction in this
State which is claiming to represent all the
virtue, intelligence and morality of the
State They base the assumption of these
virtues upon no well-detned reasons, upon
no greater services TO the party, and upon no
purer private or pubic virtues than are DOS
sesaed by the great body of the people who
still cling to and revere Democratic princi-
certain abuses III the party and party organ
ization, and start out i'll a campaign to con-
vince the people of the existence OF these
abuses, to reform the party, change its time
honored methods, and to alter and change
its time-h0nored principles. They have pro-
claimed that they want to reform inside the
party. but the singular course is presented
of its forming distinct and separate organ
iZatiOT known as the reform party.
We have the declaration of Gen, Nichols
private life to assume position for which he
he's no ambition, and that he wishes
for power that there may be more virtue and
more happiness in the world than il he had
not been elevated.
Gov. Nichols in his addresses, informs the
people OF Louisiana that he is a necessity for
their unity and welfare: that his individual
Ism and the moral being of the State are
coineident-one and the same: that he and
the State exist IN organic unity and moral
Lao, Lot ion JN-hI hn IL lon,
ment OF each has Its conditions i'll the devel-
opment of the other.
In thus stating his unambitious motives
and the sacrifices he is going to make in &C
ceptlng the Office Of Governor, he announces
only one measure of reform-the manner in
which he will make appointments, by refer
ring back to the people the power lodged in
his hands by the Constitution and the laws:
thGs ignoring the law which ne IL bound 10
execute.
The Stateis the institution of The authority
of law in the civil order. 1t is not consti-
tuted in subsection to 2 single will, or to un-
organized force, or to public opinion, but in
the organization OF and obedience to law.
Its freedom and its rights have their exist,
ence in positive law. It's force is to stand in
and maintain the authority of law.
The only and the ultimate authority which
the State recognizes is the law. And no citi.
zen, nor soldier, nor law-giver, nor officer OF
any kind or description, is above and sepa,
| lutC ItDLll tltC law
The law is supreme over all, and must be
obeyed alike by abby Governor Judge and
| legislator, equally with the humblest private
| citizen.
Gen. Nichols and his companions in theil
canvass, with one chorus, cry ont against the
existing state of affairs in the State govern
| lnent. They state grievances, but are care
| full to give no proof. They sum up all evils
| in one fearful and dangerous thing, they
| call a 'Ring"-meaning by this that 2 few
Nv 1f stGr tfl, I,In no
| ton, perpetuate themselves in power and
| control the destinies Of this State.
| Such statement does no credit to thei
| knowledge, nor does il show q respect for thu
| Intelligence of the people Of the State. Hi
| canvass ID
REPUTATION OF HIS STATEMENT.
He. goes among the people and argue
| and pleads, for what! 10 Undue,
| them to change their government through
| the intervention of the ballot to reverse
majority, which he cannot deny lnauguratet
| the present State administration, If he sue
! ceeds III his efforts just as quietly will he b.
| inaugurated. There will simply be reverse
| go into office. and no doubt those who ar
| disappointed. those whom he fails I,
! please with office or official patronage vii
| swear the State is controlled by ring
and is going to luln.
| If few men in Louisiana can control th
1
hood and their conrage' 1t is & severe accu
| 50 ton against both.
This is government of the people, b, tn
| people ard for the people. ltis aconstlsutiona
| government born OF majoritieS, made up b.
| individual action. 1t does not rule ditferen
| classes, but represents them. The peopi
| take care o. themselves. and govern them
| selves.
To saw then. to an intelligent peopie-il
| these free modern tlmes-Nho understand
= La,
Grty and know their rights, that they ar
ruled and controlled by a Ring of politi
clans, is an insult to their intelligence, a
well as degrading TO their manhood.
'Ring!' Ring has been rung on ever
public executive officer Of any. force and eli
cheney from the beginning of time: and y
1t will ever be. The great and good Wash
inston was bounded Tor ms "Rlng"-th
Conway" ring-and villitied and abused b
| those whom he had freed from British op
before or since was abused. Jefferson hat
his Ring So did Madison, and Jackson
and Polk, and Jefferson Davis at the head Il
the Southern Confederacy. Every man, VIII
has been something and done something TO
the good of his fellow man, has been crit
cised and abused by some of his fellow men
and such it will ever be: for such is the na
ture of man,
In this connection, we hear the cry of pei
sonal appointments and prescription.
A comparison of Gen. Nichols appoint
ments with those made by me will show,
think, that be appointed as many of Ri
friends as | have done of mine, ar
| without complaint from the Democrat
who were prescribed by him! But this ha
been !ehectualiy disposed f, and the state
ment is kept mp by the Nichols canyassers
because they have got ont 10 second editio
of their speeches. Among the most import
AIT appointments will be found gentelue
tor and against this State administration
| Unfortunately. however, when | have ri
lected any Of the eminent gentlemen of tn
opposition for these places they immeda tel
become targets for reform venom, az in tn
appointment of Judge Herman Estllette an
others. Iii nearly every parish will be foun
appointments made without reference IT, III
apQointee's persona political preferences, tn
only question being as to his capacity. intes
rity and Democracy.
| will only ask that an investigation /
made by you into the character qualities
tinns. opinions and Democracy OF thUs
whom have appointed In each parish 1t
not asserted by these gentlemen that the al
polntments are bad, or have not been recon
mended by Democrats of standing All
character. Every appointment made has ii
recommendation on tile, upon which it h.
been made, aud It Is open 10 the nspGctlo
of these gentlemen, who make such wild Il
sertions.
In his address Gen. Nichols says of his uw
action VIII Governor, III making appelI
ments: 1t was power placed there Will
ont legal restriction or trammei was
liberty legally TO. appoint Whomsoeyer
might choose. ard no man had u vested rigl
or legal right 10 complatl OF the dlrecfio
my judgment should take in that matte